The Abia State Government has dismissed six staff members of the Ministry of Justice after they were found guilty of manipulating the payroll system to unlawfully collect excess salaries over a prolonged period.
The action followed an internal audit and administrative inquiry, which uncovered the fraudulent scheme.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission, Pastor Eno Jerry Eze (PhD), the affected officers are:
Mr. Dickson Uche Eze, Principal Accountant (SGL 12)
Mrs. Esther Emeruwa, Senior Accountant (SGL 10)
Mrs. Ijeoma Jonathan, Chief Executive Officer (Accounts - SGL 14)
Mrs. Treasure Isinguzo, Assistant Chief Executive Officer (Accounts - SGL 13)
Mrs. Chioma Victoria Erondu, Principal Executive Officer (Accounts - SGL 12)
Mrs. Hannah Ezinne Eze, Senior Executive Officer (General Duties - SGL 09)
According to the Commission, the officers were independently interrogated and financial records reviewed before it was confirmed that they knowingly benefitted from the irregular salary payments to the detriment of the state.
The statement also disclosed that Mrs. Chioma Favour Madu, earlier investigated, was exonerated after she promptly reported the overpayment and took steps to correct it.
Following the findings, Governor Alex Otti has directed a separate probe into the activities of the Salary Committee, after investigators raised concerns about possible complicity in the fraud.
The government added that the dismissed officers will be handed over to law enforcement agencies for prosecution, stressing that the decision reflects the administration’s commitment to transparency, discipline, and zero tolerance for corruption in public service.
It further urged civil servants and stakeholders to uphold integrity and report any suspected irregularities through appropriate confidential channels
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